USSD Banking: How to Bank Without Internet in Nigeria
No smartphone, no data, no problem. USSD banking lets you move money, buy airtime and check balances from any GSM phone.
USSD — those short codes you dial that start with a star and end with a hash — is one of the most important financial inclusion tools Nigeria has ever had. It works on every GSM phone, requires no internet and no app, and is supervised by the Central Bank of Nigeria.
What you can do via USSD
- Check your account balance in seconds.
- Transfer to any bank in Nigeria.
- Buy airtime for yourself or anyone else.
- Pay bills like electricity and DStv.
- Reset your card PIN or block a lost card.
- Open a Bompai account if you don't already have one.
How to set it up
Dial the Bompai USSD code from the phone number linked to your account. You will be guided to set a 4-digit USSD PIN — never share this with anyone, not even someone claiming to be from Bompai. Once set up, you can transact in under 30 seconds.
USSD safety rules
- Never share your USSD PIN, BVN, card PIN or OTP — Bompai will never ask.
- If you lose your phone, dial our customer service line immediately to block USSD access.
- Check your SMS alerts after every transaction.
- Set a transaction limit you're comfortable with in the Bompai app or at any branch.
USSD vs app — when to use which
Use USSD when you are on a feature phone, when data is unreliable, or when you just need something quick. Use the Bompai mobile app for richer features like statements, card controls, Target Savings, loan applications and analytics. The two work on the same account — there is nothing you can do on one that you can't see on the other.